Washing machine



Dec. 26, 1 922.

H- F, EMME. WASHING MACHINE.

FILED FEB. 2, I921 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Dec. 26, 1922. 1,440,140

H. F. EMME. WASHING MACHINE, FaLeo Fees. 2. I921 4 SHEETS'SHEET 2 26, 1922. H F M 1 4 WASHIING' MACHIINE. FILED Fee. 2. $921. 4 .SHEETSSHEET 3 Dec. 26, 1922. 1,440,14

H. F. EMME- WASHING MACHINE. FILED FEB. 2, 1921. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 Patented Dec. 26, 19.22.

stares nnnnr r. EMIVIE, or SANDUSKY, onro,

PATENT SIGNOR TO THE EASIEST VJ'AY MANUFQC- TUBING COMPANY, OF SANDUSKY, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

WASHING MACHINE.

Application filed. February 2, 1921. Serial No. 441,772.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY F. Errors, a citizen of the United States, residing at fiiandusky, in the county of Erie and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and An object of my invention is the provision of a washing machine, having interchangeable supporting members, and having an operating mechanism, comprising a minimum number of parts, which are so arranged that the moving elements are rendered readily accessible for inspection and repair.

Another object is the provision of meansfor suspending a motor to permit a belt to be readily and effectively tightened without endangeringthe operator.

Still another object is the provision of a tub having means for deflecting water inwardly through the clothes, whereby the water is given a swirling motion as it passes from one end of the tub to the other end thereof. Other features include a novel construction for effecting a water-tight connection. between the walls of the tub and the closure member thereof.

The means for accoinplishil'ig the above ob- ;iei-ts will be fully set forth in the following dc. .lPiL'lOII. which relates to the drawings, and the essential characteristics will be set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a washing machine, embodying the features of my invention; Fig. 2 is an end ele vation partly in section of the machine; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the center of the machine; Fig. 4t is a horizontal section taken on the line t-At in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary eleva tion showing the construction of the gear casing; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section showing the construction of the oscillating tub.

In the drawings, 1 have shown a machine of the oscillating type, wherein. 10 represents the standards or frame which support a tub 11. This tub is adapted to be oscillated by a crank arm operable through suitable gearing connected with the motor 12. For controlling the operation of the tub I. provide a clutch mechanism connected to an operating lever 13, which extends outwardly from the side of the machine and within easy access of the operator. Features. of my invention involve novelty of construction in the various parts of the machine, and these features will be hereinafter described.

The frames 10am preferably castings havinga peripheral flange 20, with a reinforcing web 21 placed at the center and on the internal part of the flange, and serving as a reinforcing member therefor.

side thereof, so that the frames are interchangeable and may be cast from a single pattern. each frame a vertical bracing member 22, and a horizontal reinforcing member 23, which have their meeting point at approximately .the center of the frame. The frames are connected by four transverse members 24, 25, 26 and 27, which members are preferably rods cut from bar stock and pressed into engagement with the frames.

Pjivotally supported on the transverse member 25, I provide a cradle comprising end members 28 and 29, together with cross members 30 and 31. The cradle is arranged to carry the tub and to oscillate it about the transverse member 25. Each end member may be provided with a hub 80 and 81., which abut the inner portion of the frame and thereby prevent lateral movement of the tub. The cross members 30fland 31, extending beneath the tub, are preferably. angle bars,

whichrest in pads on the end members, and

are secured thereto, by any convenient means, such as a bolt and nut connection. The angle bars form effective stliiening members which are adapted to bear evenly in the castings, thereby permitting the cradle to be quickly and, conveniently assembled.

To hold the tub rigidly in'position upon the cradle, I provide the straps 4A, which extend around the exterior part of the tub and are adapted to be engaged by lugs 45, on the castings 28 and 29. Suitable nuts it enable the straps to be tightened.

The tub proper comprises a compartment 'lhatportion ot the frame on one side of the web 21, 1s symmetrical with that portion on theother As shown in Fig. 1, I provide in 33, each side of which may comprise astripof metal, having a downwardly inclined surface as at 34, and an upwardly inclined surface, as at 35. I prefer tobend a portion of the member 33 back-wardly, as at '36, to provide a. surface that is substantially complementary to the walls of the tub so that each side of the rectangular member is tubular. A portion of the end wall is carried upwardly and overhangs, as at 37, the wall on the member 33. This portion 37, which overhangs the member, is normally heldoutwardly a short distance from the wall 35. Whenever the cover is inserted, however, the portion 37 is pressed against the wall 35', thereby forming a water-tight joint and at the same time securely holding the cover in position. 7

The arcuate portions 34, serve to deflect water downwardly within the tub while the corrugations 39 act as buffers to throw it upwardly. As the tub oscillates the water contained therein'is caused to move longitudinally thereof and while moving longitudinally to be deflected laterally. To de fleet the water laterally and thereby create a more effectivecleansing action, I provide radial ribs or vanes 40 on each side of the tub, which vanes extend from the bottom corrugations upwardly to the top of the tubf These vanes are preferably strips of metal bent to a V-shape"and' secured tone sides 82 and 83 of thetub. The radial arrangement of the vanes not only insures bafiies which are disposed at right angles to the flow of water, but also servesjto reinforce the sides of the tub. Furthermore, the vanes are adapted to co-operate with the bottom corrugations, to produce a swirling motion of the water, and thereby ef feet a thorough cleansing action upon the articles within the tub.

Suitable drainage outlets 41lead from the bottom of the" tub and are connected to a common outlet pipe 42 to which a valve 33 may be attached; I

To withstand the'momentum. ofthe water as it is being thrown from one end of the tub to the other end thereof,'I provide compensating springs 47.. One end of each spring is secured to a swivel 85 on the transverse member 27, while the other end thereof is connected to the casting 28, which forms the cradle into which the tub is adapted to rest. As the tub is oscillated, one of said compensating springs is contracted while the other is extended, and this contraction and extension of springs is alternated with each oscillation of the tub. It will be noted, however, that each spring, while in extended or contracted position is adapted to move about the swivel 85. This movement is in effect a swinging action, and the result of such motion is that a smooth running mechanism is insured and wear on the main bearings isdecreased.

The motor 12 is. mounted on a base 48, which base is pivotally supported as at l9 and 50 by the frames 10. An arm 51 extends outwardly from one end of the base, and is adapted to receive a rod 52, which extends upwardly through a bracket 53 on the horizintal reinforcing member 23 of the frame. An adjusting nut 54 is provided for regulating the length of the rod between the bracket 53 and the arm 51. The pivoted base, together with the adjusting mechanism, serves as a belt tight'ener, which may be adjusted whenever the operator steps upon one side of the base 48, and then manually turns the adjusting nut 54 until it abuts the bracket 53.

It will be noted that the base 48 extends between the frame men'ibers 10 and serves as-a cross-member to strengthen that side ofthe machine on which'the" motor is mounted. By positioning the motornear the base of the frame, and the adjusting mechanism near the upper'portion thereof, I provide a belt tightener, which may be readily operated without the use of auxiliary tools or equipment. Furthermore, the arrangement of the parts is such, that the belt may be tightened while the machine is either stationary, or in operation,withoutendangering the life of the operator.

To oscillate the'tub, I provide the connecting rod 55, one end of which is connected, as at 56, to one side of the cradle, while the other end thereofis connected as at 57 tothe crank arm 58. This crank arinis supported at" the end ofthe shaft 59, and is rotated, through; the gear 60 on the shaft 78, and pinion 61 on the shaft 62, by the pulley (33. This pulley may be connected with the motor 12, by the belt 64. The shafts 59 and 62 are supported at one end by'the bracket 90 and at the other end by the frame 10. To connect the shaft 78 with the shaft 59, I provide a clutch 65, preferably of the expanding type, and I provide a control mechanism for permitting the clutch to be operated from the side of the machine.

In Fig. i, I have shown the shaft 62, as extending outwardly beyond one of the frames 10 and terminating in the portion 110. It is advisable to equip a machine with such an extended shaft to provide a bearing surface for a pulley, in the event that the machine is to be driven by a source of power other than the motor 12. In this ca se, the belt ()4 may be removed from the pulley 63 and the motor 12 may be dispensed with.

The control mechanism comprises a yoke 66, pivoted at 67, to ameniber 68, which ex tends outwardly from the frame. The yoke may be connected, by a shipper lever 69, to the crank arm 70 on the lower portion of the operating rod 71. This operating rod ex tends outwardlybeyondthe side of the matutes the upper portion of one side of the casing 72, and is so'located that the moving elements therein are rendered readilyac cessiblc. The wringer operating; mechanism is connected directly with the shaft 78, and is preferably adjacent the casing 72. As shown in Fig. 2, this mechanism comprises a set of bevel gears 76 and 77, which transmit rotation from the horizontal shaft 78 to the vertical shaft 7 5. Suitable supporting brackets 86 and 87 guide the shaft 75, while a sleeve 88 completely encloses and protects the rotary member on that portion intermediate the supporting brackets. The bevel gears may be enclosed a housing 89, which is adapted to be connected with the casing 72, as by cap screws 98.

The casing 72 is so arranged, that no parting lines appear below the center line of the shafts 69, and 7 8. This arrangement permits the installation of lubricant and dispenses with the necessity of rod packing; on either of these shafts. Tn assembling this mechanism, the gear 60, and pinion 61, are inserted within the casing 72 through the opening covered by the plate 73, while the shafts 62 and 78 are inserted through the hubs 91 and 92, and thence through the pinion and gear, respectively. The pinion may then be secured to the shaft by a set screw 93, while the gear may be connected with the shaft 78 by the coupling which will be now described.

This coupling comprises a collar 94, having; a recess in one end thereof, which recess is complementary to the hub 95 on the gear and is adapted to be pressed into engagement therewith. The opposite ends of the collar may be provided with teeth which are g nreferably cast in the collar and are adapted to engage complementary recesses in the sleeve 96 The shaft 78 may be connected the gearing to be inspected, or

with thesleeve 9.6 by the pin 97, so that rotation of the gear 60 causes rotation of the shaft 78 through the intervening collar 9a and sleeve 96. Such a construction enables a large number of gears to be placed upon a mandrel and permits the teeth to be quickly and conveniently cut. Another feature ob.- tained from this constructionis the fact that the various parts maybe accurately and qu ckly assembled, whereby economic production is effected,

To construct the wringer operating mechf anism in such manner that it may be quickly. and accurately assembled and that the cost of machining the various parts may he reduced to a minimum, T prefer to construct the she t .7 5 of square member, which may be cut from bar stock.

the members 100, and 101, respectively. The vertical drive shaft 102, connected with the wrmgenmay be rigidly secured to the mem her 100, as by a pin connection 103, while the shaft 10%, on which the bevel gear is mounted may oc rigidly secured to the met her 101, by the pm 105. With this arrangement, it will be seen that the shaft aligns v its'elf between the bevel gear '76 and the wringer drive 102, and that the only machine work necessary is limited to surface work on the members 100 and 101.

The particular relation of driving mechanisni within thecasing 72 to the wringer operating mechanism permits the machine to be quickly disassembled, for transporting it through a narrow doorway. To effect such a disconnection, the operator need remove only the pin 67, and set screw in the pulley 63 from engagement with the bracket 68 and shaft 62, respectively, whereupon, after removal of the bracket and casing bolts, the entire mechanism on one side of the frame may be removedas a unit. After the ma chine has been transported through such narrow doorway, then the mechanism as a unit maybe quickly re ssembled without incurring); the displacement in any of the rotating elements within. the casing;

From the foregoing lS(i'Ll} )'tlOn, it. will be seen that T have provided a washing machine having a supporting means embodying interchangeable end members, that are connected by cross members, which may be cut from bar stock. Furthermore, the number of moving parts has been materially reduced, and the casings have been so arranged that the gears are rendered readily accessible for maintenance and repairs. It

will furtherbe seen that T have provided a The ends of this squared member are adapted to engage com-l plementary recesses thatmay be cast within plicity in construction, ease in assembling and low cost of manufacture.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim Y 1. In a. Washing machine, a frame having a pair of interchangeable end members attached thereto, and a cradle adaptedto carry a tub pivotally mounted on one of the bar members, said cradle having depending bearing portions whereby-the cradle supporting bar may extend between the frame members adjacent the bottom of the tub.

3. In a device of the class described, a

a frame comprisin "interchan eable cast end members, bar .membe s rigidly connecting the end members, a tub, cradle members comprising members engagingthe tub at its bottom and sides, hoop members for securing the cradle to the tub, said "cradle members having depending bearing portions below the 'tub afifording pivotal connections for the cradle on one of Said bar members, and means for operating the tub about said pivnotal mounting.

4. In a device of thecharacter described, a frame comprising similar end members joined by parallel extending bars rigid therewith, supporting members contacting with the tub at each ofits lower edges, connecting members between said tub supporting members andwith the latter forming a tub cradle adapted to pivotally support the tub, hoop members adjustably secured at their ends to said tub supporting members and passing around the tub whereby the tub is held firmly seated on the cradle when the tub is oscillated, means for pivotally taching-said supporting members to one of said parallel bars comprising integral depending bearing portions: formed on the tub supporting members, and means carried by the frame for oscillating said tubabout the pivotal mounting.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature. I

HENRY F. EMME. 

